Monday Musings

Monday Monday.  Here it is, another work week.  Since we had parent-teacher conferences last week, it meant that I had Friday off. It was so nice to have a day off and much needed.  I spent most of that day doing some cleaning as my in-laws came to visit on Saturday to see KD in the play, "The Boxcar Children".

Friday night I accompanied John to his company meeting/party.  I went last year, too, and it's always a good time spent with other adults.  I am with children so much of my time that I sometimes forget what hanging out with adults is like.  We had a wonderful meal and a very nice time with some very nice people.

My cousin who lives in town has a new pet bearded dragon named "Jar Jar Binks".  She was going out of town so asked the girls and me to stop by and feed "Jar Jar" on Saturday and Sunday.  I was more than thrilled to help out.  Jar Jar is an adorable little baby bearded dragon who eats his weight in crickets each day.  We have a leopard gecko named Gina, but Gina is not that exciting.  Usually I keep Gina at school, but she has been at my house since Christmas break.  I'll bring her back to school after Spring Break.  Gina is nocturnal, so just lays around all day basking under her heat lamp. At night she gets a bit more active and does a bit of running around in her terrarium.  Jar Jar, on the other hand, is a daytime creature, so was always quite active during the day and especially at feeding time.  The girls and I just love him and hope we will get to take care of him again someday.

One show closes and another begins.  KD had a great run playing the role of "Violet" in "The Boxcar Children".  This is one of my favorite roles I have seen her in so far.  It was a sweet story line, and I think the first serious drama KD has ever done.  I saw it three times and got a bit teary eyed each time.  There were just some very heart warming moments in that play.  The boxcar made by the set builder was amazing.  I was sad to see it come down.  But, endings often signal new beginnings, and Angelle begins rehearsals for "The Little Mermaid, Jr." tomorrow.  She's excited because she doesn't do much theatre anymore.  This is her first onstage theatrical role since she played Louisa in "Sound of  Music" two summers ago.  Angelle will be playing one of the mer-sisters, and asked the director if she could change her mermaid name to "Angella", because, why not?  So, Angella the mermaid begins rehearsals tomorrow night.  I'm sure it's going to be a fantastic show!

I had a wonderful, although rather hurried visit with my in-laws on Saturday.  There was so much going on that day, including feeding my cousin's lizard, getting KD to the theatre on time, ushering for the performance, as well as hosting the strike party.  We had a nice lunch at Applebee's, and thankfully, John was able to stop by and join us for part of lunch (he works on Saturdays).  KD got picked up at Applebee's to get to the theatre on time for call, Angelle went to hang out with her friend and enjoy the spring-like weather, and I got to the theatre in time to usher.  I believe Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed the show. I know that KD's godmother, Kristin, was teary eyed throughout the whole last 5 minutes of it, which I am taking as a sign that she enjoyed it, too.  The strike party was a big success and a whole lot of fun.  They always are.  I am so thankful my girls have had the opportunity to be involved with the Black Hawk Children's Theatre.  It does so much for character building and learning what true self discipline is. While preparing and rehearsing for a show is a lot of work, the pay-off is huge.  I know my girls would agree.

My weekend was a busy, but fun one.  How was yours?  Stop by tomorrow to see which tarot card gets drawn.  Have a magnificent Monday!

Freaky Friday (Elevator Ritual, Hooded Man Ritual, Mandela Effect)

TGIF!!  Even better, my daughters, husband and I ALL have the day off today.  Woo hoo!

I promised a very freaky Freaky Friday post today, so sit back, grab your coffee, relax, and get ready for some freaky reading.

What's freaky?

This:  I mentioned that last weekend, my teenage daughter, her friend, and my 11 year old daughter and I all stumbled upon some strange, creepy, ritual games.  We had fun reading the alleged "true" stories of people who have actually played the different games, and got sufficiently creeped out by them.

The Elevator Ritual:  This is what started our madness.  You must play this "game" alone.  You will need to find a building with at least 10 stories and an elevator.  Enter the building you chose at any time, but preferably at a time when not a lot of people are moving around and using the elevator. You must be alone in the elevator to start.  You will go to these floors in this order:  4, 2, 6, 2, 10, 5.  Do not get out on these floors and if someone gets in the elevator with you on any of these floors (except for the 5th floor), you need to start over.  On the 5th floor, a woman may enter the elevator.  Do not look at her as she is not human, even though she may appear to be.  Also, do not attempt to speak to her.

At this point you need to push the button for the 1st floor.  If the elevator begins ascending to the 10th floor instead of the 1st, you have succeeded.  However, if the elevator goes to the 1st floor, you should exit as soon as the doors open without looking back or speaking.

If you reach the 10th floor, you may either choose to get off the elevator or to stay on it.  If you get off, and the woman is on the elevator, she will ask you where you are going.  You are not supposed to look at her or answer her.  You are now apparently in a different world/dimension.  You will be alone there and you are free to explore if you dare.  Apparently you will see a large red cross somewhere suspended in the air.  Other than that, it will be dark and you will be alone.

If you decided not to get off the elevator, push the button for the 1st floor.  If it doesn't work, keeping pushing it until it does.  When the elevator reaches the first floor, exit as soon as the doors open without looking back or speaking.

If you did leave the elevator, you must use the same one to return.  When you enter the elevator, press the buttons in the same order as you did at the beginning.  You should finish at the 5th floor.  When you reach the 5th floor, the elevator will once again begin to go to the 10th.  Push any other floor's button to cancel that.  You must push the button to cancel it before you reach the 10th floor.  When you reach the 1st floor, check your surroundings carefully.  If anything seems off, even a little, do not exit the elevator.  If you think something is wrong, go back and repeat the same floor combination as before, once again cancelling the ascension to the 10th floor.  Do this until you are confident you have returned to your own world, then you may safely exit the elevator.

Are you brave enough to try this?  I see some people have tried to do it and record it with their phones and it doesn't work.  I don't think it will work if you are recording it.  Personally, I absolutely will not try this.  Reading stories of people who have, whether they are true or not, is creepy enough. If you do try this, please report back and tell us what happened.

The Hooded Man Ritual:  This one is a bit more difficult to do as you will need some materials. Again, you must play this alone.  You will need two black cords or ropes each measuring a half meter in length.  You will also need an old style rotary telephone.  A modern touch tone phone will also work, but it is recommended that it be of the corded variety.  Cordless or cellular phones may present some difficulties and are not recommended.  I have not seen where it says the phone actually has to be plugged in, though.  This might be difficult considering hardly anyone uses a land line anymore. You will also need matches or a lighter, a watch, and salt.

Before you begin the ritual, you need to perform some sort of cleansing in the location in which you plan to perform the ritual.  Burning a sage stick and/or spreading salt or ash before the front door are recommended.  You can look up other spiritual cleansing rituals to follow if you like.

Shut all the doors, close all the windows, and close all the curtains.  Turn off the lights and electronic devices.  Set the two black cords and matches or lighter near the phone.  Empty your pockets of any power or protection items, but keep the watch with you.  Begin this "game" at night.  Sit down before the telephone and count to the number 13.  Then, leaving the phone on the hook, dial the following number 20496888.  Tie one black cord securely to the telephone's handset.  Lift the handset by holding the cord only; then dial the following number:  25515823.  Count to 13 and set the handset down, but not back on the cradle.  Say into the receiver:  "Hello?  I need a cab."  Untie the first black cord from the handset and replace it with the second one, making sure to secure it tightly.  Burn the first cord immediately if possible; if it is not possible to do it right away, burn it as soon as you have completed the ritual.

Open the curtains and look out.  If you have completed the first steps correctly, you will see a black taxi cab parked outside.  Leave the building, locking the door behind you, and climb into the cab's empty back seat.  Lock the cab door and go to sleep.

When you wake up, use your watch to check the time.  If your watch read any time other than 3;30 am, exit the cab and enter your home within two minutes. Then go directly to the ending.  If your watch reads 3;30 am, go back to sleep.  When you wake up for the second time, you will find the cab to be driving on a highway with a man wearing a hood at the wheel.  Do not panic, attempt to get out of the cab while it is moving, or speak to any other passengers the cab may pick up.  Now you just ride for as long as you wish, taking in the scenery.

When you are ready to end the ride, lean close to the hooded man's ear and say "I have reached my destination."  You will fall asleep one more time.  When you wake up, you will have returned to your starting location.

The Ending:  Once you have returned to your starting location, seat yourself before the telephone again and dial the following number:  200082.  Use the black cord to lift the handset, set it down, and say into the receiver, "Thank you for the ride."  Untie the black cord from the handset.  Burn it; then bury the ashes of both it and the first cord in the ground.  Scatter salt over the top of the burial site. Perform another cleansing ritual.

It is said that the longer you allow the ride to go on, the more difficult it will be to return, so you shouldn't just let it go on for a really long time.

Again, I would never do this.  Never ever.  I believe, even if these are just urban legends, that it is messing with things one shouldn't mess with.  However, maybe you are really brave and adventurous and it wouldn't bother you to try these.  If you do, please tell us your story!!  The stories, whether real or not, are a lot of fun to read and provide a good scare.  You can find them online, especially on reddit.  Freaky stuff!

This:  I also discovered something this week called the Mandela effect.  I will ask you a few questions regarding this before I explain what it is.  Do you remember "Berenstein Bears" or "Berenstain Bears"?  Do you remember when Nelson Mandela died?  Is it "Looney Toons" or "Looney Tunes"?  What did the evil queen say to summon the mirror in "Snow White"?  Do you remember Jiff peanut butter ever being called Jiffy peanut butter?  Do you have any other memories which you are absolutely without a doubt certain of, but which you have discovered are not the way things happened?  I remember "Berenstein", not "Berenstain", which I am fairly certain of because I read these books to Angelle when she was a child and I always debated over whether to pronounce it "stine" or "steen", which I would not have done if it was spelled "stain".  Well, it has always been "Berenstain".  Always.  You can't find evidence of it ever being any other way.  The authors of the books had the same last name spelled "stain".  Nelson Mandela died just a couple years ago.  There are many, many people (not me, because in the 80's I wouldn't have been interested) who remember him dying in the 80's.  I clearly remembered "Looney Toons", but it is and has always been "Looney Tunes".  I remembered the evil queen saying "Mirror, mirror on the wall....", but she really says "Magic mirror on the wall....".  I can remember Jiffy peanut butter, but it has always been Jiff.  A  few others:  Do you remember Darth Vader saying "Luke, I am your father" or "No, I am your father"?  In "Field of Dreams", was it "If you build it, THEY will come" or "If you build it, HE will come"?  There are several theories about why we may have these false memories, but I'm not going to conjecture as to why this phenomenon happens. Theories range from our reality being slowly altered (by what or whom?) to us slipping in and out of parallel universes where things are slightly different.  I'd love to hear what you remember and what your thoughts are regarding this.  Honestly, when I first started reading about this, I found it to be incredibly freaky.  I am in the camp that remembers most things differently.  How about you?  Freaky stuff.

So, are you sufficiently freaked out now?  There are several more "games" I could have written about, but I figured those two were plenty.  There is the "Stairway Game", the classic "Bloody Mary",  the "Fortune Teller", among many, many others.  If you are interested and have time to kill, look them up.  My advice is to not try them, but I also kind of want somebody to so I can hear about it!  So if you do, PLEASE let me know what happened!

Be freaky today, my friends, but have fun, too!  Check back on Monday for my beginning of the week musings.

Witchy Wednesday

Happy Witchy Wednesday!

I've been wearing a lot of black and red lately. The funny thing is that when I wear that color combination, my students ask me if I'm a vampire.  This has happened a few times recently.  If I wear all black, I'm a witch.  If I wear brown, I'm a hobbit.  Wear red and black and they think I look like a vampire.  I guess the color scheme I'm wearing determines what type of mythical creature my students see me as.

So, today I think I will see what I can come up with in the way of red and black outfits.

So, to begin with I found a site called www.bluefly.com.  Check it out if you wish as they have an entire section of vampire inspired clothing.  I loved this dress right away, especially with prom coming up for my older daughter, but then I saw it is just under $1,000. A bit out of my budget, but I'll share it anyway.  It's gorgeous.

After that I started looking at more affordable options.  I found this and several other great vampire fashions on Etsy.  In fact, I really want my daughter to get the bottom version of this dress and wear it to prom.  I wonder if she would?  I know that I would, but I certainly can't speak for her.  I think it's very pretty, though. And at just $80 for a handmade dress, I think it's very reasonable.

















Also on Etsy was this very cool, long steampunk coat.  Very vampirish, I think.

Notice the detail on the close-up view of the bodice.  great collar and buttons.  I would definitely wear this.











Also on Etsy, I found a couple of very cute black, lacey skirts.  The first one is supposed to be a belly dancing skirt.  It could easily be layered with leggings and boots.











The second one has great buckle and lace details.  Lots of possibilities for this skirt!











If you're more of a casual girl, but still like the vampire look, how about this adorable tee-shirt.  "Your coffin or mine?". Cute, and also on Etsy.















Amazon had a few really nice black and red goth style formal dresses.  Again, I'm wondering if I can talk my daughter into one of these looks for prom.

This one is very elegant and gothic.  I love the textured velvet look.


















Of course, I would always recommend checking out consignment stores.  I'm sure you can find a lot of great vampire-inspired fashion there.  It seems that when I wear something with large bell sleeves, my students tend to think of vampires, even if the outfit itself is not red and black.  Style-wise, I really am more witchy than vampirish, but it's fun to switch it up once in awhile, and I do like the red and black combination.  I just read today that wearing red and black washes you out.  Maybe that's why it makes me look like a vampire?  It washes me out so I look more pale?  Maybe.

At any rate, vampire fashion doesn't suck (see what I did there?).  Enjoy your Witchy Wednesday and try wearing something new.  Just don't be surprised if someone compares you to a mythical creature.

Oh, and before I forget, Freaky Friday's blog post is going to be extra freaky.  Be sure to check back.

Tarot Tuesday 2/23/16

Today's card drawn is the Four of Cups.

Have you been feeling bored with your life?  Tired of the mundane?  Does life feel as though it has become stale and that not much excites you anymore?  That could be the reason the four of cups has shown up today.  This card suggests that you need to re-evaluate your situation and look deep within your own subconscious to once again find the meaning in your life.  A little introspection is in store right now to find what it is you are searching for.  There might be many distractions around you as you are trying to do this.  Avoid those distractions and really look deep within your own heart and mind to gain clarity.

It is possible that you are disappointed in a person or a situation.  Maybe the same old struggle has been carried on for too long in the past and you are growing tired of it.  You may have found yourself starting to withdraw and go within yourself for peace and tranquility.  It is time to wake up, pay attention and be open to new experiences that offer a more positive outcome.

Are you feeling defensive?  Have you been hurt before and so it is difficult to open yourself up to new possibilities?  Doing this might be closing you off to the fabulous opportunities which are presenting themselves to you. Ask yourself whether you are closing off because you truly believe you would not benefit from the opportunities or whether it is because you are fearful of what might follow.  If it is fear holding you back, it's time to let go of it.  While fear can sometimes keep you safe, it can also sometimes hold you back.

You might feel right now that you have too many problems yourself to be able to reach out and help others.  Your detachment from being part of the world is becoming an issue.  You always have the opportunity to reconnect with the world and accept the cup that is being offered to you.

Have you recently received an offer and have not yet made your decision?  The offer will continue to be there and you can accept or turn it down at any point.  You are smart to take your time and do some thinking, research and meditation.  Weigh the cons and pros of the situation carefully.  There is no rush.  You will know when it feels right emotionally to make your decision regarding this offer. It's okay to take your time.

Finally, this card is telling you to not take anything for granted.  That feeling of contentedness with your safety and security can sometimes cause you to take your life for granted and not truly appreciate what it is you have.  Be sure to show appreciation for everything you have gained so far. Take a moment today to look at your life and see the abundance you possess.  Do you already have all you need?  Do you really want more?  Try, really try, to see the good that is already there and be thankful for it every day.  Gratitude is a powerful thing.  Really feeling grateful for your life is one of the most powerful spells you can cast.

Monday Musings

Hello and happy work week!

I had a wonderful weekend full of fabulous performances.  Angelle left town to go with her high school concert choir to sing at a cathedral in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Friday.  I've been fortunate to see a couple of clips from their performance.  Those high school kids sounded like a choir of angels.  So beautiful!  She was gone overnight on Friday and got back Saturday evening around 7:30.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, it was opening night for "Boxcar Children", the play KD is in.  This is a wonderful play full of many heart-felt moments.  I took flowers for KD and also for my student who is in the play.  It was absolutely wonderful.  It was so wonderful that I went back on Saturday afternoon to see it again.  For the Saturday afternoon performance I sat next to a wonderful couple who are Waterloo natives, but who have lived in Australia for about 40 years.  It was very interesting to talk to them and they really enjoyed the play.

This weekend there are two more performances, so if you haven't yet seen it, call the Black Hawk Children's Theatre box office and reserve your seats.  You really don't want to miss this one.  Also, this weekend Angelle will be running sound for the show.  It's nice for both girls to be involved.

Saturday morning KD and I were up bright and early so she could play her viola solo for solo contest. She did a great job and the judge gave her wonderful comments.  We don't know what rating she got yet, but she should find out this week.  I am so proud of that girl!  After a week of rehearsals from 5:30 - 9:30 and an opening night performance, she still gets up early the next day and does her best on her viola solo.  After we got home, it was so beautiful and spring-like that KD and I took the dogs outside.  We went for a walk around the circle then just hung out listening to the birds and enjoying the sunshine.  KD even ate her lunch outside before heading to the theatre for her performance.

Sunday was a relaxing day and Angelle, her friend, Jessica, and I went to the Art From the Heart benefit for schools in El Salvador.  That was a fun event and we got a few cool pieces of art there. We also listened to some great music by the sister duo "Melina and Amelia".  We loved their music so much that we got their business cards and bought a CD.  It turns out we all know their brother (who goes to the high school with Angelle and Jessica) and father.  Small world.  If you ever get a chance to see these girls perform, we highly recommend it.

We discovered that the murder house from season 1 of "American Horror Story" can be rented out on Air BNB.  That got us imagining a trip to LA with enough of us that the house stay would be less than $100 a night.  Since it's in LA, I also said a day trip to the Cecil Hotel (Elisa Lam mystery, and also the hotel that the most recent season of AHS was based on) would be in order while we were there. This got the two teenagers, KD and I looking up the Elisa Lam mystery.  This in turn led KD to researching what the "Elevator Ritual" is since some people have speculated that might have been what Elisa Lam was doing in the Cecil elevator.  This led us on a disturbing journey of researching paranormal and urban legend "games".  We were all pretty creeped out by them, but enjoying the good scare.  Since these "games" are more suited for "Freaky Friday", you will have to wait until then to read about them.  Nothing like keeping you in suspense.  They are super freaky, though, so be sure to check back.  If any of you are daring enough to try the elevator ritual, you will have to be sure and tell us about it.  As for me, I don't think I could or would.  I mean, what if it actually worked?  Yikes.

So, what are you thinking about this fine Monday?  I'd love to hear.  Have a magnificent Monday. Check back tomorrow to see what the cards say.

Freaky Friday

It's Friday.  What's freaky?

This:  "The Witch" opens today.  From what I heard it's terrifying with a capital T.  Of course, I've watched the television series "Salem", which is also quite terrifying.  I read an interesting review of "The Witch" today.  You can read it here:  "The Witch"  Freaky!

This:  Speaking of movies, Angelle, John and I saw "Deadpool" last weekend.  That's quite the movie.  Be warned, it is extremely adult and Angelle was embarrassed during some parts, especially watching it with her parents.  However, it is extremely funny and very good.  At one point, "Deadpool" breaks the 4th wall to talk to the audience during which he has a flashback.  During the flashback he breaks the 4th wall again.  His comment is that he broke the 4th wall within breaking the 4th wall, so he essentially broke 16 walls.  My theatre self found that to be hysterical, although I did have to explain that to John.  Freaky fun!

This:  This is actual lightning art.  Lightning was essentially frozen in an acrylic block using something called a "dynamitron".  A dynamitron is essentially a particle accelerator that does something very scientific with electrons which I don't understand.  At any rate, it froze the lightning permanently created this incredibly cool and freaky art.











This:  Do not, and I repeat, do NOT eat raw squid in Asian countries. Doing so can result in you becoming "pregnant" with baby squid.  Seriously.  It's true.  If you end up consuming a raw male squid, the squid spermataphores (or something like that) can lodge in your mouth causing extreme pain.  If left alone, they would turn into baby squid, but I don't think it would be a good idea to let that happen.  Doctors have to remove them.  Eating squid in the West, however, is perfectly safe as those internal organs are first removed.  This is one of the freakiest things I have stumbled onto today.  Look it up if you dare.

This:  Corn Starch Alien Tendrils Video  Yep, corn starch alien tendrils.  Just watch the video.  It's freaky, but cool.  If you want to try it at home, follow their suggestions and put plastic over your speaker first, unless you don't care if you ruin the speaker.

That's it for freaky Friday.  Be freaky, have fun, and check back on Monday for my Monday Musings.

Witchy Wednesday

Happy Witchy Wednesday!  I find myself waking up on Wednesdays and feeling happy because it's "Witchy Wednesday".  So, I find one of my favorite black outfits and decide to make the day fun and witchy.  And what else?  I got to school today and found out that two of my favorite colleagues were wearing black, too.

Another thing I'm particularly happy about today is that I ordered a couple of fun, witchy decorations for my van and they are supposed to arrive today.

So, what did I order?  A pair of bat wings and two different spooky antenna toppers.  If you aren't aware, my van has had fangs from time to time (thanks to my awesome husband, who makes them for me) and so we call it a "vanpire".  See what I did there?  I even ordered personalized plates that say "VANPYR".  The van also has a zombie family on the rear window, aqua flowers on the sides (hippie vanpire?) and a dashboard zombie (like the hula girls, but a zombie).

So, I will share what is coming for my van today with you.



Here is a picture of the lovely bat wings my dear Vanessa Vanpire will get  to display once they come today.  There is also a cute black bat nose.  Imagine the fangs on it and I think I will have an adorable vanpire bat to drive around.











Here is one of the antenna toppers I ordered for Vanessa. Of course, I LOVE Jack Skellington and while Jack is not a vampire, he does fit the overall spooky theme for my van.











Here is the other antenna topper I ordered.  Remember the movie "Haunted Mansion" or have you been through the attraction at Disneyland or Disneyworld?  This is Leota's tombstone.  Again, not a vampire, but still fits the theme.  I will have to wait to decide which one I like better and maybe I'll switch them from time to time.











This is the set of zombie family stickers I have on my back window.  I had to buy two sets to get two dogs.  They've been on there awhile now and I absolutely love them.  I got my sets at Mohair Pear a few years back.













So, am I crazy to want to do this to my van?  I think people will know when they see me driving around town.  I'll be sure to post pictures when I get everything on it.  John will need to help me re-apply the fangs so I won't post a picture until everything is on, so you get the full effect.

Enjoy your Witchy Wednesday and if you see me driving Vanessa the Vanpire around, give me a honk and a wave.